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Author Topic: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC  (Read 14121 times)

Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« on: October 14, 2007, 04:08:04 pm »
Forgive me if I keep asking the same questions, but here goes:

1. When would be the best time to introduce HSC to the brood box of my already existing hive?  Seems as though I shouldn't "mess" with it until Spring?

2.  When I do add the HSC core to the brood box, what on Earth should I do with the frames I pull?  Sacrifice any brood on them?

Thanks a million~*~

Sharon

Offline Robo

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2007, 04:25:20 pm »
Forgive me if I keep asking the same questions, but here goes:

1. When would be the best time to introduce HSC to the brood box of my already existing hive?  Seems as though I shouldn't "mess" with it until Spring?
Yes, now would not be a good time. Wait until Spring.

Quote
2.  When I do add the HSC core to the brood box, what on Earth should I do with the frames I pull?  Sacrifice any brood on them?

Or put them above an excluder so the queen can't get to them and wait for the brood to hatch before yanking them. Just keep an eye out for queen cells,  sometimes the bees will try to raise a queen above the excluder if there are eggs up there.
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2007, 06:42:38 pm »
>1. When would be the best time to introduce HSC to the brood box of my already existing hive?
Anytime from spring to fall.

> Seems as though I shouldn't "mess" with it until Spring?

Correct.

>2.  When I do add the HSC core to the brood box, what on Earth should I do with the frames I pull?

Only pull empty, honey or pollen and make sure you don't pull ALL of the honey or pollen.

> Sacrifice any brood on them?

Never.
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Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2007, 11:56:23 pm »
Fabulous, thanks so...I feel I have a handle on it now!  Hooray!

Offline KONASDAD

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2007, 04:54:56 pm »
what would you do w/ the "throw away" frames and whatever they might contain(pollen/honey) ?

 I have some other questions too about HSC-
does it count as small cell since its about 5.1mm?

do the frames hold up to the rigors of beekeeping? I'm tired of broken frames and need to find a better supplier than the local manufacturer  for frames.

How long should it take to "feed-in" all ten frames in a deep?

how many do I feed in at a time?
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Offline Robo

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2007, 09:33:34 pm »
what would you do w/ the "throw away" frames and whatever they might contain(pollen/honey) ?
Use them for honey supers, swarm traps,  melt them down for the wax, etc.........
Quote
I have some other questions too about HSC-
does it count as small cell since its about 5.1mm?
Not sure where you got the 5.1mm unless you are confusing it with permacomb.  HSC is 4.9.
Quote
do the frames hold up to the rigors of beekeeping? I'm tired of broken frames and need to find a better supplier than the local manufacturer  for frames.
This is my first season with them, but I am quite happy with how they hold up.  Besides some minor warping,  they are heavy duty.  I hated pierco plastic frames as they where flimsy and hard to hold with grips.  No trouble with HSC, they are quite sturdy.
Quote
How long should it take to "feed-in" all ten frames in a deep?

how many do I feed in at a time?
I haven't heard of many folks having any luck feeding them in as the bees will ignore them.  I have only forced them as recommended.  After about 3 brood cycles,  they use all the cells just as well as wax comb.



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Offline Hopeful

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2007, 09:08:41 pm »
Uh, Newbee here. What is HSC? Sorry for the manifested ingorance....
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Offline Robo

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2007, 09:44:23 pm »
Honey Super Cell -  4.9mm fully drawn plastic brood frames.  www.honeysupercell.com

Considered instant regression to small cell.


« Last Edit: December 02, 2007, 11:01:30 pm by Robo »
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Offline Michael Bush

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Offline Hopeful

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2007, 08:43:49 am »
Thanks. :)
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Offline CWBees

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2008, 05:43:14 pm »
I would checkerboard them in your super. I think this gets them accepted faster.
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Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2008, 06:35:44 pm »
Well, I have changed my mind.  I ordered 2 packages, and hopefully I will get them, but I think I will prepare their brood box with the 4.9 wax foundation from Dadant, since I will have to feed anyway???  Just plop the in their and hope for the best?

After the brood gets established, and it is time to add the honey supers, is this where starter strip comes in?  Or, should I just keep adding full 4.9 wired wax foundation?   :roll:

Offline johnnybigfish

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2008, 08:29:47 pm »
Hey, hopeful, I'm glad you asked that 'cuz I was wondering the same thing. Sometimes I feel like Im at work with all the letters used for words here your friend,
john

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2008, 10:03:52 pm »
>Well, I have changed my mind.  I ordered 2 packages, and hopefully I will get them, but I think I will prepare their brood box with the 4.9 wax foundation from Dadant, since I will have to feed anyway???  Just plop the in their and hope for the best?

Foundation will work fine too.  Or starter strips.  The foundation will have to be installed properly.  The wired usually has extra wire sticking out that goes around the cleat (wedge) and sometimes it's a bit long for a grooved bottom board.  I haven't had any of Dadant's so I don't know, but these have been a problem in the past with wired foundation.  If you buy deep unwired you can wire it with two horizontals and leave the gap at the bottom.  Or you can cut it into starter strips and wax it into the groove at the top.

>After the brood gets established, and it is time to add the honey supers, is this where starter strip comes in?  Or, should I just keep adding full 4.9 wired wax foundation?

Only use wired if you intend to extract it.  Otherwise I'd use starter strips or thin surplus.  7/11 has the advantage that the queen won't like laying in it.

>Sometimes I feel like Im at work with all the letters used for words here

If you find one you don't recognize, just look it up:

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Offline rdy-b

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #15 on: January 20, 2008, 01:24:29 am »
YA dont you shoot dice  :-D  RDY-B

Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #16 on: January 20, 2008, 10:59:01 am »
No Dice!   but is that craps?  Oh golly, now I really feel stugatz!

Offline Robo

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #17 on: January 20, 2008, 12:05:33 pm »
7/11 ?

It's sized so the queen thinks it is too big for worker brood, but too small for drone brood, so she won't lay in it.  At least that is the theory.

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #18 on: January 20, 2008, 12:11:03 pm »
I would checkerboard them in your super. I think this gets them accepted faster.

Did you spray it or treat it in any way before using it?  I have had no luck getting them to accept it as long as there is wax frames in the hive.  They will ignore the HSC like the plague.   Once it has been used,  they have no problem with it.
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Offline Michael Bush

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Offline rdy-b

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #20 on: January 20, 2008, 01:31:25 pm »
 :-D-stugatz  ;) 8-) RDY-B

Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #21 on: January 20, 2008, 07:29:22 pm »
Why would anyone use the 7/11 then...it sounds as though it is not good for anything...

Offline rdy-b

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #22 on: January 20, 2008, 08:01:11 pm »
Because you dont want the queen laying eggs in the honey supper -it is not for brood chamber-RDY-B

Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #23 on: January 20, 2008, 10:50:40 pm »
Ugh..so if i use the 4.9 or 5.1 in brood boxes, and this "7/11" in the supers, that is the way to go???????

Offline Understudy

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #24 on: January 21, 2008, 12:16:56 am »
Ugh..so if i use the 4.9 or 5.1 in brood boxes, and this "7/11" in the supers, that is the way to go???????

That would be a very good plan.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Offline rdy-b

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #25 on: January 21, 2008, 12:28:50 am »
keep it the same -like frame size so it is interchangeable -never know when you will want to divide or add honey frame to supplement feed -I always try to keep my honey suppers white wax but you never know -RDY-B

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #26 on: January 21, 2008, 12:42:57 am »
keep it the same -like frame size so it is interchangeable -never know when you will want to divide or add honey frame to supplement feed -I always try to keep my honey suppers white wax but you never know -RDY-B

I am all for uniformity. I use it myself. But would her plan work. Yes. Queens don't like to lay in 7/11 so it can be a good way to have a honey super. The fun thing about beekeeping is you can ask a question and get 10 different answers all of which are right. They may not be right for everyone. But they might just work for someone else.  :)

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Offline rdy-b

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #27 on: January 21, 2008, 02:29:04 am »
what is it that they say hind sight is 20-20 ;)                                any way interesting side note about 7/11 foundation it is designed for cut comb production -soo that means if you use it you will have to wire your frames so you can extract -RDY-B

Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #28 on: January 21, 2008, 12:19:55 pm »
"Fo Shizzle" Guys  I have to wire this stuff...I am a clutz with that kinda thing...is there a video or how to?    Ack...no mentors around here for me in the small cell world...I am verklempt!

What other option do I have for the honey supers ( foundation-wise )...similar to 7/11, I will go to MB's site and lave a look around there...

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #29 on: January 21, 2008, 02:24:27 pm »
>Why would anyone use the 7/11 then...it sounds as though it is not good for anything...

It's only good for supers and it's made for comb honey.  It's made to keep the queen from laying in the supers.

I've used it without wire and extracted it for years.  I prefer to not wire it even if I intend to extract some of it as I have the option to pick the prettiest for cut comb and extract the rest.
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Offline rdy-b

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #30 on: January 21, 2008, 03:59:34 pm »
yes MB but you have surpassed the awkward stage of being a newbee -first spin and they will blow out -cut comb is one thing -but extracting frames that will give you season after season is another-DAY VALLEY knowing  the interests you have expressed i think you would be quit happy with the PF120 no muss no fuss and it is considered by some to be small cell-that with the 4.9 wax in the brood chamber should get you going -if later you need frames for a divide or a swarm that you will catch -you will be armed with equipment that will satisfied your needs -MB can tell you about the benefits of PF120   KEEPING IT SIMPLE IN CALI -RDY-B

Offline annette

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #31 on: January 21, 2008, 05:15:13 pm »
This info has all been great for me too. I am in the process of introducing starter strips into the brood chambers. So I think I shall put the PF120 from mann lake into the honey supers.

I think that is my decision. Almost certain.

Annette from Placerville California where we may get snow!!!!!!

Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #32 on: January 21, 2008, 05:33:51 pm »
ok so put pf 120 in the honey super...i hope they come in shallow size...

annette...it feels like snow here...just rain though...bbbrrrr

Offline annette

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #33 on: January 21, 2008, 05:42:51 pm »
It is starting to snow up here now. On and off.  Maybe hail actually. But very cold.

I am going with all mediums in my hive, but do not know what other sizes they have. Call them. I know they have medium size.

Stay warm,
Annette

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Changing Out Existing Hive to HSC
« Reply #34 on: January 21, 2008, 06:01:48 pm »
>yes MB but you have surpassed the awkward stage of being a newbee -first spin and they will blow out

I can easily blow out a wired frame.  I can easily extract an unwired frame.  Either way you should make sure the wax is mature enough (not soft like putty) and start slow and work your way up.  Don't spin them fast until they are at least half empty.  I've blow out as many wired frames as I have unwired frames and since I learned to be careful, not many of either.

>i think you would be quit happy with the PF120

Probably.  I like them fine.  A little flimsy, but inexpensive, small cell and well accepted.
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